Knockdown box or crate.



C'. o.` MBNGBL. KNOOKDOWN B0X4 0R CRATE. LPPLI04TON FILED AUG. 31, 1908.

927,263. Patented July 6,1909.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIeE.

CHARLES C. MENGEL, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO MENGEL BOX COMPANY, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

KNOCKDOWN BOX OR CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1909.

Application med Augusta, 190s. serial No. 450,993.

To all 'whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, CHARLES O. MENGEL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Boxes or Crates, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to improve ments in knock-down boxes or crates, the;

construction and advantages of which will be hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a pers ective view of the box or crate in its knockec -down condition Fig. 2 a sectional perspective view of the box in its assembled position; Fig. 3 a perspective view illustrating a modified construction and Fig. 4 a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a still further modification.

The main object of the invention is to produce a simple and efficient box or crate, which may be readily assembled and as easily knocked down.

A further object of the invention is to rovide special means for securing the hea s of the box to the sides thereof; while a still further object is to provide, in conjunction with said means, a cleat of special form which serves to materially brace or stiffen the package.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the sides (by which term I intend to include the top and bottom) are designated. by l, 2, 3 and 4, and the edges of the sides are beveled, as at 5, so that when the sides are folded into place the edges make a close joint. The sides 2 and 3 are connected to each other and to the sides 1 and 4, respectively, by wire hinges, each hinge comprising a pair of interlocked loops 6, the outer loop portions of which lie close to the sides and are of such length that when the box is folded the beveled edges 5 come into close contact. The wire forming the hinge is passed through the side, and a portion thereof lies flat against the inner face of the side, the ends of the wire being bent and driven inwardly into the side, thus securing the hinge firmly in place, and this, without the use of any extraneous fastening device. Each side, adjacent to each end, is provided on its inner face With a groove or slot 7, and secured to the side adjacent to the slot is a cleat 8. Each end of each cleat is formed with an inclined or beveled face 9, the angle sides.

of which is coincident with that of the bevel oi the edge 5., formed a projecting tongue 10, the extremity of which. is squared, while at the opposite end the cleat is formed with a cut-away portion or squared recess 11, which recess is come plemental in shape and size to the tongue 10. The cleats are so arranged that, when the box is assembled, the tongue of one cleat passes into the recess 11 formed in the end of the next adjacent cleat. The heads 12 and 13, preferably formed of compound lumber, as are the sides, are of such thickness as to make a relatively close Iit in the grooves 7 when the parts are assembled, as in Fig. 2. The parts may be secured together by wires 14, passing through holes 15, or eyelets 16 mounted therein, formed in the proximate edges of the sides 1 and 4. When the parts are assembled and secured, the box will be found to be quite rigid; the interlocking of the heads with the grooves, and the engagement of the square tongue with the squared recess 1l, preventing any movement which might otherwise take place were the inclined or beveled faces 9 alone relied upon.

In Fig. 3 the sides are shown with the cleats omitted, the structure being otherwise the same. The engagement el the heads with the grooves 7 in the sides forms a relatively rigid box, which is all-sullicient for the trans ortation of light goods.

In ig. 4 a construction similar to that in Fig. 3 is illustrated, the box in addition being provided with an intermediate partition 17, which linds its seats in grooves formed in the One or more sets of grooves, as 18, may be provided in the sides, for the reception of other partitions, or the relocation of the single partition illustrated.

No claim is made herein to the wire hinge, as that forms the subject-matter ol a separate application Iiled by me of even date herewit 1.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a knock-down box, the combination of' a series of sides having their abutting and adjacent edges beveled, and each having a groove formed therein adjacent to each end; Wire hinges connecting the adjacent edges of said sides the members of said hinges eing passed through and secured to the respective sides; a pair of heads, the edges of which fit in said grooves when the parts are assembled;

At one end ol the cleat is cleats secured to the sides adjacent to the grooves g and means for securing the parts in place.

2. In a knock-down boX, the combination of a series of sides having their adjacent edges so formed as to make a close iit when assembled, each of said sides likewise having a groove formed therein adjacent to each end means connecting the sides 5 a cleat secured to each side at each end thereof, adj acent to the groove, one end of each cleat having a beveled face and a squared recess, While the opposite end is formed With a beveled face and a squared proj ecting tongue; heads, the edges of which ht Within the grooves When the parts are assembled; and means for securing the parts in their assembled position. Y

3. In a knock-down box, the combination of a series of sides having their adjacent and abutting edges beveled, and each side being formed with a groove or channel in its inner face adjacent to each end thereof; Wire hinges securing the intermediate sides to each other and to the remaining sides respectively; a cleat secured to each side at each end thereof adjacent to the groove, each end oi the cleat being formed with a beveled face the angle of which is coincident with the adjacent beveled edge of the side, one end of the cleat being provided With a squared recess, While the opposite end is formed With a tongue complemental in shape to the recess in the opposite end; heads, the edges of which iit in the grooves When the parts are assembled 3 and means for securing the parts in their assembled position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence ol tWo subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES C. MENGEL.

IVitnesses H. I. ROBERTS, A. W. CORNWALL, Jr. 

